asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that the payment of disability benefit was discontinued to a person (details supplied) in County Laois in October last; and if he will have this matter investigated and disability benefit restored.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from September 1977 and was paid to 11 October 1980 when payment was refused following examination by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work.

She appealed against the disallowance of her calim from 13 October 1980, and in this connection was examined by a different medical referee who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. Following an oral hearing of her appeal at which she was present the appeals officer upheld the deciding officer's decision.

An appeals officer's decision is final and can be altered only in the light of fresh facts or new evidence which was not before him at the time of making his decision.

2.